TM. Methods

TM. Methods [Types of] [See Classifying Methods]

0. Methodology in general (as opposed to methods) TM0 codes for research

a. The scientific method

b. Measurement

c. Coding data

d. Data collection

e. Potential biases and errors

f. Forecasts (can be based on many methods) [Link to verb?]

g. Graphical representation

h. Deliberate deceptions

j. Medical diagnosis

k. Treatment (generally medical)

m. Mapmaking, representational (technically a distinct method)

n. Mapmaking, conceptual

p. Program evaluation (these use one or more of the above methods)

q. Quantitative

r. Qualitative

s. Case studies (these use one or more of the methods below)

t. Triangulate across multiple methods

u. Unexplained observations (or allegedly so)

v. Induction

w. Deduction

x. Testing a hypothesis

y. Results of an application of any method

z. Generalization

[Where best to put interdisciplinary process: integration, common ground, triangulation etc.? These techniques for connecting research results are logically distinct from methods and

methodologies for performing specialized research. Likewise the standards employed in evaluating research are distinct from the techniques for performing research.]

1. Experiments

Laboratory (with control/not?)

Field

Natural experiments

2. Surveys

3. Interviews

Focus groups

Open format

Structured format

Fewer than 50

More than 50

Personality inventory (there are many different ones)

Doctor/patient

4. Mathematical models (a model may be more than one of the types below)22

a. Simulations

b. Operations research

c. Input-output

d. Linear

e. Non-linear

f. Deterministic?

g. Self-organizing?

h. Stochastic

i. Distributed-parameter?

j. Discrete time

k. Continuous time

l. Chaotic

5. Statistical analysis [codes for statistics]

Cross-section

Time series

Longitudinal

Panel

Correlation linear

Correlation non-linear

Regression linear

Regression non-linear

Simultaneous equations

Probit/Tobit analysis

Factor analysis

Cluster analysis

Sampling

6. Ethnographic/observational analysis

Participant observation

Discreet observation

Time/Motion study

Archaeological

DNA analysis

Medical lab tests

Medical examinations

Experience [Technically, experience and intuition are a distinct method]

Intuition

7. Physical traces [Here we will capture a host of techniques for examining physical objects employed primarily but not exclusively in natural science]

Chromatography, electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, x-ray diffraction, Southern blot , fractionation, Gram stain, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Micro-scale

Thermophoresis

8. Textual analysis

a. Content analysis

b. Close reading of texts

c. Deconstruction

d. Archival manuscripts, rare books, primary works [need to separate?]

h. Hermeneutics/ semiotics (the study of symbols and their meaning) [technically a distinct method]

9. Classification

Evolutionary analysis

[Note: It is intended that difficulties in applying any of these methods will be captured by links between that method and TM0.]